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Europe’s 7 greenest cities

Each year, an expert panel of environmental judges - handpicked by the European Commission - spend weeks agonising over the finer details of some of Europe's most eco-friendly cities in a quest to crown the year's European Green Capital. Here, we round up the winners from the past seven years, dipping into why they are gloriously green and why you should choose them for your next city break. Because green cities aren't just for tree-hugging vegans, you know…

This little-known European capital is starting to build up a tourist trade in Slovenia, with quirky hostels and niche bars cropping up inbetween the city's vast green spaces. In order to preserve the chocolate-box prettiness of the city centre, the narrow cobbled streets and the marvellous medieval buildings, the amount of cars permitted in and out of the city has been limited. As a result, the Ljubljanica River and the Old Town are attractive areas for exploration, sprinkled liberally with Slovenian coffee and pastry shops for mid-morning pick-me-ups - these are just one wonderful side effect of the city being named Europe's Green Capital for 2016. Don't be fooled by the quaint exterior though; its student population exceeds 60,000, and you can usually see a small portion of them out socialising in the main square until the early hours.

City break tips

Where to stay:Hostel Celica is a chic hostel with some super cool design credentials (it used to be a prison), and the Grand Union Hotel is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city.

What to do: Ljubljana's Old Town is as charming as can be - it's not yet become saturated with touristy souvenir shops and bad interpretations of Western European food. Architecture buffs can enjoy the Triple Bridge, St Nicholas' Cathedral and Preseren Square, and a stroll along the Ljubljanica River is a must-do.

Where to eat: The Austro-Hungarian delicacies of Slovenia (buckwheat, cabbage and cold meat platters) have been given a delicious twist from the neighbouring country, Italy. Here's where to find perfect pizzas and peachy pannacottas.

Even if it had not been awarded Europe's Green Capital for 2015, Banksy's home town still would have been one of the greenest cities in the UK. This historic city is surrounded by some of the country's most scenic reserves, including the Cotswolds, the Brecon Beacons National Park, and the lush Somerset countryside. It doesn't stop there: 34 per cent of Bristol's centre is made up of green and open spaces - maybe that's why a fifth of the population chooses to walk to work?

City break tips

Where to stay: Rent a gorgeous Georgian townhouse on the outskirts of Bristol's sleek Clifton Village, or snuggle up in one of the boutique hotels in the city centre.

What to do: To see more of Bristol's glorious greenery, make your way to the Avon Gorge just outside the city for a Saturday afternoon hike. Alternatively, Ashton Court is perfect for picnics - especially when those picnics involve local cider, Cheddar cheese and goodies from Pieminster.

Where to eat: If you've managed to roll your way back from Ashton Court post-Pieminster, get down to Stokes Croft for dinner in one of the cool new restaurants. The waterfront is also laden with bustling bars where you can stick with a sweet cider - or join the students for a few Jaegerbombs.

If you've ever visited Copenhagen before, you'll know that it has cycle lanes everywhere. In fact, the city's official aim is to have at least 50 per cent of people cycling to their place of work by the end of this year, as part of an initiative to become the first carbon neutral capital in the world. This push to become an even greener city has inspired plenty of redevelopment and rejuvenation around the harbour, which makes it an even better place for a leisurely cycle. Rent out a bike, and attempt to burn off the Danish pastries you inhaled during breakfast. We don't recommend cycling to and from the Carlsberg Brewery though - it's a 20-minute cycle outside the centre.

City break tips

Where to stay:Nyhavn 71 sits prettily between the beautifully hued houses and outdoor cafés on the canal, but if you'd like somewhere that's a little quieter, check out Vesterbro. Teeming with hipsters, the coffee shops are second to none.

What to do: True eco-warriors can explore the neighbouring city of Malmö over the Øresund Bridge; it has actually been growing its own green reputation alongside its Danish big brother. Alternatively, explore the city on that beautiful bicycle you rented: the 'freetown' of Christiania and Amalienborg Palace are must-sees.

Where to eat: Copenhagen is home to the best restaurant in the world, Noma, which really sets the bar for cuisine in the rest of the city. Check out the best cafés, restaurants, and the finest purveyors of 'smørrebrød' in our guide to where to eat in Copenhagen.

The sea port city of Nantes in western France wears its cultural heritage on its sleeve, clashing Roman ruins with medieval architecture and modern buildings to awe-inspiring effect. It also has a good, temperate climate, a cracking festival scene and of course, delicious French food. The city's inspiring attitude towards environmental initiatives provides us with yet another reason to nip over to Nantes.

City break tips

Where to stay: L'Hôtel is in the heart of the Old Town, excellent for weekend explorations, whereas the Radisson Blu Hotel is the largest hotel in the city - and it comes with its own spa.

What to do: Visit the stunning 15th-century cathedrals, the grandiloquent castles and the lush botanical gardens that Nantes is famous for. If you're very keen on being green, eco-friendly festivals such as La Foile des Plantes ('crazy about plants') and Plantes Menacées ('threatened plants'), offer visitors the chance to learn more about the farm-to-fork way of life, as well as endangered plant species.

Where to eat: Nantes is just off the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, so make the most of it by dining on lobsters, oysters and mussels. Grab your catch of the day at La Civelle on the waterfront, before sloping off to Crêperie Heb-Ken to satisfy that sweet tooth.

Admit it: you hadn't heard of the capital of the Basque country either, and that's okay, because if more people knew about it, the city may not be so wonderfully quiet, charming, and traditional. Vitoria-Gasteiz is divided into concentric circles: the first circle entails the city, the second counts as the 'Green Belt' area, and the third? Well, the third trails into fields, mountains and forests. It's not hard to see why they were awarded the European Green Capital 2012. In Vitoria-Gasteiz, city breaks are quiet - your afternoon walk will take you from the green parks, to the Cathedrals, to the city walls, and will likely end up in a good glass of Rioja.

City break tips

Where to stay: The Silken Hotel is slap-bang in the middle of the city, great for families wanting to explore. However, the hosts at the Abba Jazz Hotel have a penchant for late-night tipples and plenty of conversation: perfect for social butterflies on a short city break.

What to do: Fancy a challenge? There's a 64km cycle path around Anillo Verde that'll keep you topped up with enough Vitamin D for the rest of the week. If you're still recovering from yesterday's Rioja, there's a trail of murals throughout the city that you can take in at your own pace.

Where to eat: Typical Basque cuisine includes grilled, marinated meats and fish, pintxos (Basque tapas), sheep's cheese and good wine (red or white, it doesn't matter). Restaurante El Clarete offers a fine dining experience of Basque cuisine, and Fresa y Chocolate Vitoria are known for their sweet, fruit-laden pastries and strong coffee.

For a huge, multi-cultural city like Hamburg to gain the status of a European Green Capital is impressive, especially when the Port on the River Elbe is one of the busiest in Europe. That said, the attitude here is definitely 'work hard, play harder', and their plethora of clubs, bars and restaurants encourage well-mannered frivolity (fuelled with German beer) well into the night.

City break tips

Where to stay: If you fancy taking advantage of the fizzing business district and delving into some of the designer shops, stay at the Sofitel - they even have a spa so you can nurse your feet after a long day's shopping. For more cultural delights, the Kempinski is within walking distance of the Kunsthalle, and the Gaswerk is a designer's daydream just outside the city centre.

What to do: In the interest of keeping your carbon footprint low, explore the city of Hamburg and its myriad canals on a rented boat or yacht.

Where to eat: Hamburg's diverse population lends itself to a smorgasbord of different culinary delights: try Michelin-starred French dishes at the Haerlin, Syrian tea and cakes at Saliba, and contemporary Euro-Asian dishes at East Restaurant.

Ninety-five per cent of Stockholm's population live less than 300 metres from green areas, which is impressive considering the city is built on water. It's an old-timer in the round-up of European Green Capitals having won the award in 2010, but its sustainable approach has kept it clean and green. However, it's Stockholm's blue waters, even bluer skies and stunning orange and white medieval architecture that wows the visitors. All the inner city buses and trains now run on renewable fuels too - that's carbon-friendly bar hopping sorted, then.

City break tips

Where to stay: All of the accommodation in Stockholm oozes Swedish design style, whether it's a hostel, hotel or B&B. Berns' boutique bedrooms are in a handy location between the Opera House and the waterfront, and the Rival Hotel is excellent for exploring the trendy Southern isle of Södermalm.

Where to eat: Not all Swedish food includes pickled herring. However, you can try all manner of traditional local dishes in Bakfickan in Norrmalm - you'll be spoilt for choice when choosing your fika favourite. Of course, it's also essential that you check out Stockholm's best new beer brewers too.